STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agriculture Marketing and Inspection Representative 1

Part Time, Durational

Recruitment #230309-4884AR-001

Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Department of Agriculture (DoAG), is seeking one (1) part time, durational Agriculture Marketing & Inspection Representative 1 (AMIR 1), position to administer one or more promotional programs which ultimately support Connecticut’s agricultural sector. 

What We Can Offer You:
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
A flex schedule is available for work-related schedule adjustments to attend industry meetings on nights and weekends; In-state travel will be frequently required; a state car will be provided.  Out of state travel may be required to attend trainings/meetings/seminars.

Position Highlights:
  • Part time, Durational 
  • Monday through Friday, 30 hrs per week
  • 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Telework option may be available
  • Location: 450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT
NOTEApplicants will be initially placed in vacancies under durational appointment with anticipated end dates of 12 months. These appointments may be extended. Benefits and leaves will be subject to the appropriate collective bargaining contract language and Connecticut General Statutes.

The Role:
A core duty of this role will be to administer certain grant programs which are focused on supporting agricultural producers, nonprofits, and organizations. This role will be responsible for: 
  • Promotion and development of domestic and international markets for agricultural products, through management of federally funded grant programs, including pass-through funds to subrecipients
  • Assisting with pre- and post-award grant project management, including grant guidance development, application, and review processes 
  • Initial and ongoing communication with applicants 
  • Drafting contracts and agreements 
  • Ensuring consistent grant processing, tracking, and compliance through the grant closeout period, including receiving and tracking invoices
  • All phases of grant management from pre- to post-award in accordance with guidelines implemented by funding source, including drafting of guidance and agreements, compiling and submission of reports and invoices, and tracking of project process through grant closeout
  • Performs related duties as required
The AMIR 1 could be expected to assist in managing a variety of state and federally funded programs for Bureau of Agricultural Development and Resource Conservation. Candidates must have the understanding and experience in project management, including writing reports, coordinating events and workshops, and an understanding of agriculture production and seasonality.

About Us:
The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to foster a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state’s citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage and its contribution to the state’s economy.

Selection Plan

To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Important Information After You Apply:

  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact 
Sharon McIntosh, at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov.

Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Agriculture, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the development and inspection of agricultural businesses, production and processing plants and retail facilities for compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

MARKETING PROGRAMS:
  • Promotes and develops domestic and international markets for agricultural products;
  • Conducts seminars to assist in development of agricultural businesses and products;
  • Makes presentations to public and private groups regarding agricultural programs or issues;
  • Conducts surveys and market research;
  • Develops and disseminates technical information to promote development of agricultural businesses, land development and conservation within state;
  • Gathers information and prepares reports;
  • May conduct or coordinate special marketing projects;
  • Performs related duties as required.
INSPECTION PROGRAMS:
  • Inspects dairy farms, processing plants, livestock and poultry farms, feed and fertilizer plants, storage facilities, stores and seed packers for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations;
  • Collects samples for testing, conducts tests and interprets results in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations;
  • Checks permits, licenses and interstate health charts;
  • Observes sampling techniques; gathers and records information and writes reports;
  • Responds to related complaints from general public;
  • May inspect dairy products at schools;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • production, marketing, research development or processing of agricultural businesses or commodities;
    • wholesale and retail marketing practices;
    • business development and promotional techniques and strategies;
    • relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations;
    • state and federal legislative process;
    • plant and animal disease control methods and procedures;
    • inspection and investigation methods and techniques;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the marketing, research, development, production or inspection of agricultural commodities or businesses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training in agriculture or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with agribusiness development
  • Experience prioritizing work assignments and meeting deadlines
  • Experience with grant program management and administration
  • Experience communicating with agricultural producers, agricultural businesses, or nonprofit agricultural organizations
  • Experience managing business development programs with data-driven outcomes
  • Experience with conducting outreach and educational trainings
  • Experience participating in panels for the review of grant applications

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift heavy objects; may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions; may be exposed to some risk of injury from animals.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.